WELCOME TO CURRICULUM NIGHT September 5, 2013 FIRST GRADE

Our Philosophy in First Grade is that learning should be a meaningful, child- centered experience. It is our goal to present learning strategies to your child that will lead him/her to becoming a responsible, independent life-long learner.

Daily Schedule 7:45-8:00Morning Work 8:00-8:10Announcements 8:10-8:30Calendar Activities 8:30-10:15ELA/Social Studies 10:15-10:45Science 10:45-11:05Recess 11:10-11:45 Lunch 11:45-1:20Math 1:20-2:05Specials 2:05-2:50Castle and Pack Up 2:55Dismissal **Snack is daily around 9:30.

Daily 5 Daily 5 is a management system to help students become more independent readers and writers. Read to Someone Read to Self Word Work Listen to Reading Work on Writing

Writing Writing is an integral part of reading and all other content areas. Writer’s Workshop- Students are provided with strategies and tools to help them become better writers. Writers are encouraged to share their work.

Science/Social Studies Technology is an integral part of our Science and Social Studies curriculum. Students have access to the Science Lab as well as yearly trips to Connemara. Field trips and guest speakers are resources that will enrich our curriculum.

Math Students are provided with hands-on experiences using manipulatives to enhance problem solving and computation. The primary focus in first grade is working with numbers

SPECIALS **Students will visit the Computer Lab and Library weekly. These are not a part of the Specials rotation. DAVIS Mon-Art Tues-PE Wed-Music Thurs-PE Fri-Fitness Friday KERBY Mon- PE Tues-Music Wed-PE Thurs-Art Fri-Fitness Friday CARTER Mon-Music Tues-PE Wed-Art Thurs-PE Fri-Fitness Friday SPANN Mon-PE Tues-Art Wed-PE Thurs-Music Fri-Fitness Friday

CASTLE Collaboration Among Students and Teachers for Learning Effectively First Grade has a scheduled 30 minute block 4 days per week. Teachers will collaborate on which enrichment or intervention each student will receive based upon informal and formal assessments. Students will meet with a group to address specific learning needs. These are very flexible groups that change frequently. Students may or may not be with their classroom teacher during this time. Students who receive special services such as ESL and Speech are scheduled during this time. This allows for the least number of interruptions to our instructional time.

Report Cards A report card will be sent home each nine weeks. No progress reports will be sent home for first grade students. The district’s report card guidelines can be found on the Allen ISD website. Parent conferences will occur in October. Please be on the lookout for an from Sign-up Genius. No other formal conferences will be scheduled unless a need arises.

Folders Daily Folder – Sent home each day and returned each morning; please initial each night on the conduct sheet; remove contents and return any correspondence in this folder. White Homework Folder – Your child will bring home a white homework folder daily. Inside the folder is a weekly homework chart describing the assignment for the day and any important announcements for the week. Your child will have spelling and math homework along with the daily reading homework. Be sure to initial the chart each night, as we will check for completed homework daily. Occasionally an additional special homework project or unfinished work may be sent home. Wednesday Folder – Sent home on Wednesday and MUST be signed and returned on THURSDAY. Please remove contents and return any correspondence to teacher in the Norton Daily Folder.

Attendance/Tardies It is imperative that students are physically in the classroom by 7:55. It is important for your child to understand the value of being in school each day and on time. Please help your child to learn this important life skill. If an absence must occur, please be sure to send a note explaining the absence within 5 days. Kindly remember that Allen ISD’s policy is that your child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning. Please review the attendance and tardy policies in the Handbook.

Additional Nuts and Bolts If your child’s regular dismissal procedure changes, please let us know IN WRITING as soon possible or call the front office. Do not rely on as notification as we often don’t have the opportunity to check our most days until school is out. Lunch code- in order to maximize your child’s time to eat lunch, they MUST know his/her lunch code before buying. Ice Cream is only available for purchase on Fridays. For the safety of our students, please do not linger in your car and observe kids on the playground. We are unable to determine if you are a parent or a stranger. Please complete your volunteer background check online if you wish to help in the classroom or go on field trips. This can take to 2 to 3 weeks to complete.

Thank you for coming to support your child’s education! We look forward to working together as a TEAM to make this year a SUCCESS!!!